Monthly Archive for March, 2009

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Album of the Week: In the Reins

Published on March 16, 2009 in Album of the Week. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

This week’s album is not an album, strictly speaking, but an EP. However, it’s such an extraordinary collaboration between two amazing artists, Calexico and Iron and Wine, that it is well worth mentioning. They’re both highly recommended but this colaboration just blew me away. The hushed vocals by the singers merge beautifully with the folksy/mexican sound so typical of Calexico. The combination sounds very grounded, natural and relaxed. Great album to cheer you up on a bad day (worked for me!). Only downside is… it’s over too soon, but it’s well worth it!

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As usual, you can listen to a song from it on grooveshark lite. If you liked this and weren’t familiar with both Calexico and Iron and Wine I recommend checking out their solo work as well!

Album of the Week: Lost Souls

Published on March 9, 2009 in Album of the Week. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Again, revisiting some old albums, this time for another of my all-time favourite bands, the English band Doves. I usually like their very full and atmospheric sound, in their latest albums (e.g. Sky Starts Falling from Some Cities). However, their debut album Lost Souls, is refreshingly different. It’s a lot simpler, more acoustic and quieter. It’s a nice album to relax to, or even to start the day. It works for me as that kind of ethereal nice songs which put you in a good mood, even though they’re not extremely happy. I guess it’s still atmospheric, just not in the full wall of sound way they employ in their latest albums. There are some skippers for me, but overall the album is extremely enjoyable.

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You can listen to The Man Who Told Everything on grooveshark lite. Enjoy! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to their show as it sold out, but I’d definitely like to go to their concert while here in London.

(Weird) Album of The Week: Tears of the Valedictorian

Published on March 2, 2009 in Album of the Week. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

This week I’ve been revisiting an album I had heard in the past but didn’t get my attention too much except for one track (Bushels). I’m talking about the 2007 album from Frog Eyes, Tears of the Valedictorian. Now, this might not be an album for everybody’s taste, Carey’s vocals are quite emotional and uncontrolled (but that’s part of the charm) and it gets downright weird in parts. However I feel like the combination of both his voice and the instrumental track (especially the “hammered” piano) makes up for a very unique combination. You are encouraged to check it out (especially Bushels, as I referred), but don’t say I didn’t warn you! (The people who know my musical taste were probably by now wondering where the hell were the uncontrolled weird vocals, so here you go!). You can get the full Bushels mp3 from Pitchfork.

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Also, feedback is more than welcome, the comment threads have been empty lately, so if you have words of win or fail please leave them in the comments!